E-Paper
Zoo to be partially closed during makeover
The much-debated redevelopment of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan that will start within the next six months will result in the zoo being partially closed. HT Political Bureau reports.
The much-debated redevelopment of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan that will start within the next six months will result in the zoo being partially closed.
The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee approved the Rs 430-crore makeover of the Byculla zoo on Thursday.
The plan, drawn up by HKS Designers and Consultants International and US-based landscape designers Portico Group, proposes to replicate the natural habitat of the animals.
It has been sent to the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi and is awaiting final approval.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Island City) RA Rajeev said, “The process of appointment of contractors for carrying out the execution work in the first phase is over and proposal is being sent to the civic Standing Committee for final approval. The work will start soon and the zoo will not be closed completely but partially.”
The execution work will be carried out in four phases.
The first phase involves construction of the administrative building and interpretation centre, veterinary hospital and quarantine area, and parameter wall.
The total cost of the first phase is Rs 34 crore.
In the second phase, an underground car park, a playground (above the car park), a glass-enclosed restaurant and an exploration area for children will be constructed. An advanced e-ticketing system will also be installed in the entry plaza. The cost of second phase is about Rs 100 crore.
The work on the animal enclosure will begin in the third and fourth phase and will cost Rs 300 crore.
